Lions CCM Episode 1 - Introduction and Season 1 - Stafford2Johnson's Dynasty

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Lions CCM Episode 1 - Introduction and Season 1

Posted on April 21, 2013 at 07:44 PM.

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ROARING ABOVE | DETROIT LIONS CCM

After a surprising 10-6 record in the 2011-12 regular season, Lions fans around the nation were starting to come out of their caves. It was no longer an embarrassment to root for the team that for so long has stunk. Coming into 2012 with high hopes, the team crashed to 4-12. Critics everywhere roasted the Lions as being 'one-hit wonders' and calling their success in 2011 fraud. In just one year the signs in the stadium had gone from "Schwartz Nation" to "Fire Schwartz". Once again back on the hot seat, Jim Schwartz has to prove that his Lions have what it takes to be a playoff team in the NFL. I hope you join me in this Detroit Lions Dynasty.

Detroit Lions CCM
Mode: Coach (Jim Schwartz)
OFF Playbook- J. Schwartz
DEF Playbook- J. Schwartz
Quarter Length: 12 Min
Salary Cap: ON
Sliders: KB's Experimental Sliders [All-Madden Set]
Year Starting: '13-'14 (meaning I simmed Year 1 to catch up to real life)
Rosters: Post-SuperBowl MADDEN Roster Update

2012 Recap
Because I wanted to mimic real life, I simulated season one of the CCM. For this dynasty, I will refer to 2012 like in real life, not in the CCM sim. However, the simulation had us finishing the year 8-8 and getting the 14th overall selection. Again, all 2012 references including stats and more will refer to the Lions actual 2012 season.

Detroit Lions Resigning

Resigned Players
Chris Houston - CB - 5YR,27.5M
Louis Delmas - FS - 4YR, 9.04M
DeAndre Levy - ROLB - 4YR, 14.44M
Lawrence Jackson - LE - 3YR, 4.8M
Pat Lee - CB - 4YR, 5.2M
Corey Hilliard - RT - 2YR, 1.8M
Jerome Harrison - HB - 1YR, 850K
Dylan Gandy - C - 2YR, 1.8M
Jacob Lacey - CB - 1YR, 850K
Willie Young - RE - 4YR, 6.8M
Tyrell Johnson - SS - 3YR, 2.7M
Amari Spievey - SS - 3YR, 2.85M
Gosder Cherilus - RT - 5YR, 25M

Unsigned Players
LT Jason Fox (65)
HB Joique Bell (76)
HB Stephan Logan (66)
K Jason Hanson (Retired)
P Nick Harris (73)
DT Corey Williams (83)
LOLB Justin Durant (82)
LE Cliff Avril (90)
HB Kevin Smith (72)
DT Sammie Hill (71)
SS Don Carey (70)
MLB Ashley Palmer (69)
LG Bill Nagy (66)

The Lions managed to keep the majority of starters that threatened hitting free agency this offseason. Because of the roster I used, there will be no Reggie Bush at HB, and Cherilous and Peterman are still on the roster. Backus did not retire. I was not able to keep Avril. He demanded over 11M despite recording less than 10 sacks in 2012. He rejected Detroit's 5YR, 47.5M million offer. Detroit also lost both their kicker and punter, to retirement and free agency, respectfully.

Free Agency

Detroit Lions Signings:
Eric Foster 2YR, 1.6M

Top League Signing:
LT Brandon Albert (90) - Steelers

Hall of Famers '12 Season:
Peyton Manning
Tony Gonzalez

Notable Not Included:
Terrell Owens
London Fletcher
James Harrison
Randy Moss

Trade! In one of the best draft classes in the past decade, Detroit tries to get some picks by trading veteran LT Jeff Backus and a future 2nd Rounder to the Chargers for their 2nd and 4th round picks in the upcoming NFL draft. Both are 19th overall in their specific rounds. It appears as if Riley Reiff will start at LT this season for Detroit with the departure of Backus.

NFL DRAFT 2013
Top 5 Picks:
#1: Chiefs - HB Jerome Washington - 81
#2: Cardinals - QB Pooh Carlson - 79
#3: Lions - WR Anthony Jackson - 78
#4: Rams - LT Delino Calhoun - 83
#5: Colts - HB Andrew Niles - 78

Wait, what? Lions picking at #3!??!? That's right, in a flurry of activity Lions GM Martin Mayhew landed the team the third overall pick in the draft by trading San Diego's 2nd rounder which we had received just days earlier and our top CB, Chris Houston (88). Some critics such as Mel Kiper think it was a truly ingenious move to take advantage of Miami's desperate need for a CB. However, most others agree that Detroit did nothing but cripple their secondary for a chance at a Calvin counterpart. The trade certainly opens a gaping hole at CB for Detroit, their best rated now being Pat Lee at 75 OVR. In retrospect I will probably never make a trade like this ever again. I feel like I took too much from Miami without giving them enough in return, even if they get a top CB. People have different opinions on these sorts of trades with the CPU and I've decided I probably won't do anything like this again.

Rest of Draft:
R1, P3: WR Anthony Jackson
R1, P14: Trade to St. Louis Rams for their 1st Rounded (27th OVR) and their 3rd Rounder (also 27th)
R1, P27: ROLB Nate Wakeel
R2, P14: HB Kian Minor
R3, P14: K Sealii White
R3, P27: CB Rashawn Norwood
R4, P19: CB Gabriel Waters
R5, P14: DT Aaron Clay
R6, P14: LG D.T. Slaughter
R7, P14: LE Gary Davis

Prospect Breakdowns
Anthony Jackson [WR]: Jackson was touted as being the next Calvin Johnson by draft experts, and it appears Mayhew wasn't letting anyone get his hands on that kinds of talent. Jackson was known for freakish speed, great jumping ability, and a knack for holding onto the ball that made him an all-around threat: just like C.J. (98 SPD, 80 CAT, 90 CIT, 88 RTE, 80 RLSE)

Nate Wakeel [ROLB]: Wakeel had a breakout year his senior season at Texas. He was projected to be a third round pick at the beginning of his senior year but has climbed up and was ultimately drafted by the Lions in the late 1st round. Wakeel is known for his strong, hardhitting play style. He needs work in coverage but has a knack for reading the offense and making tackles in the run game. Was touted as one of the smartest LBs in the draft class by Todd McShay. (99 POW, 85 STR, 57 MCV, 90 PRC)

Kian Minor [HB]: Kian Minor is an underrated player considering that there were three HBs picked in the Top 10 of this year's draft. In past years he would've easily made the first round. He's considered special because he can run defenders over OR juke around them. He's not the fastest HB in the league but he does a good job of picking the right hole and not letting go of the football. The only cause for concern with Minor is that he had limited playing time at the University of Arizona due to a major injury in his Junior year. Although he has recovered, he is still somewhat injury prone, so look for him to be mixed in with other HBs in his rookie campaign. (90 SPD, 92 TRK, 86 ELU, 84 BCV, 96 CAR, 78 INJ)

Sealii White [K]: There are lots of mixed opinions on whether or not Detroit should've drafted a kicker so high, considering they are coming off of a 4-12 season. For over 20 years, the Lions have had the privelage of having All-Pro kicker Jason Hanson on their roster. He's proved his worth so much it appears the coaching staff is jumping all the way up to the third round to grab this year's top kicking prospect.

Rashawn Norwood [CB]: Rashawn Norwood will likely be given the chance to start on the outside right away by the Lions. Norwood is 6'1", 202 lbs so he has the size to play physical with most WRs. However he appears to be exclusively a man coverage defender. His zone coverage will need work. Also, despite being a lockdown corner in college he rarely picked passes off. This is not the guy to be leading the team in INTs. He's also been working on his ability to press WRs at the line of scrimmage the past couple years at Nevada and looks prepared to take his talents to the NFL. (90 MCV, 80 PRS, 94 SPD, 58 CTH)

Gabriel Waters [CB]: Waters was projected to be a 2nd rounder but is one of those players that kept getting passed up on. He's not great in coverage; and unlike Norwood he cannot press receivers at the line of scrimmage to save his life. He is a big, tough corner (6'0", 215 lbs) that will not get pushed around by receivers in coverage. If the Lions can teach him better technique at the LOS, he might become a better outside CB. Probably his biggest upside is his knack for making plays. He was third in the PAC-10 for INTs last year and always finds himself in positions to make plays. For now, he'll probably be fighting for a slot position. (74 MCV, 69 ZCV, 56 PRS, 72 STR, 97 JMP, 67 CTH)

Aaron Clay [DT]: Clay is big like Suh and Fairley, but lacks the same kind of power needed to break through the line. His tackling and hit power are also sub-par and a common criticism is that he relied on his size to dominate offensive lines. (77 STR, 70 TAK, 71 POW, 6'4" 297 lbs)

D.T. Slaughter [LG]: Experts see this pick as an attempt to start coaching a youngster to fill the role of Peterman or Sims after they retire or leave. Both Peterman and Sims are above 30, so it would make sense to draft a player like this now. Chances are he won't turn out but you never know.

Gary Davis [LE]: A shot in the dark that turned out great. Davis is a pure speed rusher with a true talent for beating tackles off the snap. Detroit will likely use him on third downs in an attempt to create quick pressure on the QB. If he wasn't so injury prone, he might have been drafted much higher. (85 FMV, 84 SPD, 90 ACC, 65 INJ)

That concludes season 1. I will be playing all of my season 2 games but I don't plan on playing pre-season. I know I rushed Season 1, but believe me, it was only because I simmed the season. Season 2 will be a much more immersed experience with much more depth. I hope you stick around!

EDIT: Just sorta thought of this as I was thinking about the somewhat cheesy trade I made to get the #3 pick: the real life Lions are picking 5th throughout the draft and I got to pick 14th. So boosting up to 3rd for one round doesn't do much hurt.